In 1982, at the height of his Bollywood career, veteran actor Vinod Khanna made a decision that shocked the industry and his fans alike. Khanna left Bollywood to join Osho’s commune, Rajneeshpuram, in Oregon, USA, seeking spiritual enlightenment and a deeper connection through meditation. This bold move was seen by many as a self-indulgent act, as he left behind not only his flourishing career but also his family in Mumbai.

During this period, Khanna was a rising star in Bollywood, often compared to Amitabh Bachchan, who was also at the peak of his career. While there were rumors of Bachchan overtaking Khanna in the race to become Bollywood’s top superstar, it has recently been revealed that Bachchan, along with other industry peers, tried to dissuade Khanna from leaving.

In an interview with Hindi Rush, veteran journalist Bhawana Somaaya shared that Amitabh Bachchan pleaded with Khanna not to quit films. “Bachchan wasn’t responsible for Khanna’s career. He alone couldn’t have done anything. Khanna was a very good-looking actor; talented and sensitive… Vinod Khanna got lost within himself. He chose to follow Rajneesh. He called a press conference and announced that he was quitting the industry,” Somaaya said.

She further revealed that it wasn’t just Bachchan; actors like Shashi Kapoor and numerous directors also urged Khanna to reconsider. “Every actor and director told him not to leave, that it would be the wrong thing to do. But he was sure he wanted to leave the industry, and he left.”

Khanna’s departure to Rajneeshpuram marked a period of deep spiritual reflection. In a candid interview with Simmi Garewal, Khanna acknowledged the selfishness of his decision, stating, “Unless you’re selfish, you can’t do anything like this. It’s your own being that has to find that transcendence… Everybody has to travel alone.”

His son, actor Akshaye Khanna, later reflected on his father’s decision in a 2020 interview, saying, “As a five-year-old, it was impossible to understand it. Osho had nothing to do with my thoughts about why my dad wasn’t there. That came much later… It’s a life-changing decision, which he (Vinod Khanna) felt that he needed to take at the time.”

After the commune disbanded, Khanna returned to Mumbai, and with the help of director Mahesh Bhatt, he made his comeback with the film Jurm. Despite the years spent away from the industry, Khanna managed to revive his career successfully, showing that his spiritual journey had not diminished his talent or his appeal to audiences.